It seems everyone wants to point out the differences of others. Rather than acknowledging, respecting, and admiring each other and our differences, many people take aim to use our differences against us. There is this constant battle with politics and the media to point out our differences and to put us in a race war or a class battle. Rather than us all being seen as human beings, we are divided into classes, races, ethnicities, religious affiliation, education statuses, etc. It’s sad. These people of great power look to divide and conquer simply to stay in power and keep people arguing and discontent. Instead of encouraging loving discourse, these people paint a picture of chaos and everyone listens.
But the Bible makes it clear that we are all created in the image of God (see Genesis 1) and in our life with Christ, “in this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as He lives in every one of us!” (Colossians 3:11 TPT).
When I look around at the Church (big C), I can see the division so clearly. You can pick up a church history graph and see how the branches of denominations split again and again over disagreements about beliefs, worship style, etc. It has not stopped. We even have non-denominational churches because some churches don’t even want to affiliate with a specific denomination. As these divisions continue, we see many breaks because churches have decided to disregard some of God’s teachings to be even more inclusive. Some churches have said it wasn’t enough to simply love those who are caught up in sin (which yes, we are to love everyone). Instead, some churches have changed beliefs and have gone against the Word of God to appease people. Even more division followed.
When I look around at the churches (little C’s), I can see how everyone has their differences. At the end of the day, everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to worship style. I get it. But I also see the division within the little C churches. There are the country clubbers, the cliques, the class divisions, etc. The world has taught us division as a people and as a broken people we take it through the church doors and it tears the Body apart.
But what does God say? Again, we are made in His image. All of us. And that, at the end of the day, these things — nationality, ethnicity, education, economic status, they aren’t going to matter. Jesus means everything. He is the One Who saves. He is the One who makes new. He is the only way. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life!
Today, we have this great decision we can make. We can aim to live out this truth right now. We can live as if Jesus means everything because He does. When people start trying to divide us as brothers and sisters, we can remember that we are all made in God’s image. Yes, we can celebrate our differences, but may we never let them divide us. See the beauty in God’s Creation — including all of your neighbors. Stand firm on God’s Word. Above all, declare today and always that Jesus is everything!
Tania Gutekunst 